Power use soars as high temperatures hit Taiwan

2017/04/21 20:19:20

(CNA file photo)

Taipei, April 21 (CNA) Power consumption peaked at 30.98 million kilowatts (kW) on Friday, the second-highest level in Taiwan's history for the month of April, as a result of high temperatures around the island, according to state-run Taiwan Power Company (Taipower).

Power consumption hit 30.98 million kW at 11:01 a.m., when operating reserves fell to 4.54 percent, flashing an orange warning light that indicated a tight power supply, said Cheng You-tsai (鄭有財), an official in Taipower's Department of System Operations.

Meanwhile, Friday was the seventh time this April in which the operating reserves have flashed an orange light, and was the fifth day in a row that an orange light was issued, Taipower said.

On Friday, daytime highs reached above 30 degrees Celsius in many parts of the country, including Taipei, New Taipei, Taitung, Taichung, Tainan and Keelung, according to the Central Weather Bureau.

The company said it expects power consumption to ease in the coming days as the weather is expected to turn cooler and wetter over the weekend.

In Taipower's five-color system, an orange warning flashes when operating reserves fall below 6 percent, and red and black warnings are issued when reserves fall even lower, to less than 900,000 and 500,000 kW, respectively. A black alert means consumers will have to prepare for power rationing.

A green light means operating reserves are above 10 percent, and a yellow warning is issued when reserves fall between 6 percent and 10 percent.